These boots are made for singing
Jackie Putnam returns to the stage in Pugwash this month
A longtime performer who loves to entertain crowds, Jackie Putnam, abruptly stepped out of the spotlight about a decade ago to support her teenaged children. But she’s coming back.
“Both sons were involved in hockey and going back and forth to the rink and stuff. I kind of stopped during that time,” recalls the Debert-based singer who traded the role of entertainer to be a dedicated hockey mom. “(But) in 2018, I decided I’m coming back.”
With her children now adults, Putnam could resume the career in show business she had been steadily building up since she began performing in her early 20s.
Then an eager singer who developed a solo show that paid tribute to the idols of her past, she would soon begin performing in such popular bands as Nighthawk and Sierra. Over the years, she found herself entertaining everywhere from live stages to television — taking part in telethons, The Downeaster Jamboree Show and other local cable shows.
The truth is, even though her career was launched in early adulthood, Putnam’s fascination with the entertainment world began much earlier when she saw the 1980 Loretta Lynn biopic, Coal Miner’s Daughter, at just 12 years old.
“I always sang country music but when I saw
Coal Miner’s Daughter and watched the whole movie, I wanted to be just like her,” admits Putnam about the legendary singer. “How she made her way into a music career and went to the radio stations and was just out there doing it and living her dream. I admire her for all of that.”
Putnam idolized Lynn so much that she would eventually craft a stage concert partially dedicated to the groundbreaking artist called The Queens of Country.
“The Queens of Country show is a one-woman show and it’s country classics that I have been performing since I was in my early 20s,” says Putnam, noting it tributes everyone from Lynn to Dolly Parton and Janis Joplin. “(But) over the years, I’ve added songs by Highway 101, Patty Loveless, Roseanne Cash, Anne Murray and Shania Twain.”
Just as Putnam is reviving her music career, so too is she resurrecting the Queens of Country show, which she has expanded to include even more variety.
“I have something for everybody, basically,” adds Putnam. “And now I’m adding in original songs.”
Audiences in Pugwash will get a chance to witness Putnam’s grand return when she performs her one-woman show in the Lobster Factory at Thinkers Lodge on July 21 from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
“I’m just so happy to be able to do this again,” says Putnam. “I really missed performing and the positive energy that you get from the audience — that’s the best feeling in the world.”
Another surprising aspect that Putnam has enjoyed since reviving her music career has been dressing up for the gigs. After all, when she began to rebuild her show, Putnam decided to add a bit of fun — including colourful costumes and stylish ‘60s-era go-go boots.
“The first time I dressed in go-go boots and a fun dress, I was scared to death just to step on stage dressed differently but I just told myself to sing as you always do and the crowd will either love or hate you and I was overwhelmed at the response,” says Putnam. “Since that day, I have bought 14 more colourful go-go boots.”
For more information on Putnam and the Pugwash event, visit: www.jackieputnam.com or www.thinkerslodge.org.